MORE than 1,000 food businesses will not be routinely inspected by the county’s food standards and hygiene service because they are rated as low risk.

Herefordshire Council’s Environmental Health Commercial Team (EHCT) has laid out its plans for meeting the expected level of inspections.

In the programme, 1,384 low risk premises (category E) will not be routinely inspected, but the council will continue to respond to complaints and attend new businesses.

The report by the environmental health service manager outlines that there is potential for an adverse impact upon the health and wellbeing of the population through a deterioration in food hygiene standards.

However, it would take approximately four and a half years to complete inspections of 1,384 premises and the self-regulation approach has proved reasonably successful elsewhere in the UK.

Since 2013 the EHCT has reduced its staffing levels further for the council to meet required financial savings.